A comparative study of perioperative pain, blood loss, and hospital stay in an Indian population undergoing mini-open oblique lumbar interbody fusion versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: There are several approaches for lumbar fusion, although there is yet to be a consensus on which approach is the best. This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative blood loss and acute postoperative pain in single-level mini-open oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgeries for the degenerative spine. Methods: Thirty-two patients were assigned by the surgeon to OLIF or TLIF groups - 16 in mini-open OLIF and 16 in open TLIF groups. The intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hemoglobin, numerical rating scale (NRS) at proposed time intervals for 24 h postoperative, and rescue analgesics used were compared among the groups. The operative duration and hospital stay in both groups were also compared. Results: The OLIF group showed significantly higher postoperative hemoglobin (11.5 vs. 10.5 g %, P = 0.04), lower 24-h postoperative pain scores on movement, (NRS 4 vs. 5.5, P = 0.0001), and shorter hospital stay (4.5 vs. 7 days, P = 0.003) than TLIF group. However, the surgery duration was significantly longer in OLIF than in TLIF (190 vs. 150 min, P = 0.005). Intraoperative hemodynamics, other postoperative pain scores at variable time points, and rescue analgesics given were comparable among groups (P > 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was lower in OLIF than TLIF (275 vs. 500 mL) but was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mini-open OLIF has favorable perioperative outcomes compared to open TLIF. Patients have higher postoperative hemoglobin and lesser pain on movement on the first postoperative day, leading to earlier mobilization and a shorter hospital stay.

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Anterior, Posterior and Combination of Quadratus Lumborum Block in Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgeries: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is an effective technique to provide analgesia for upper and lower abdominal surgeries. There are various approaches described in the literature, but the best approach is still to be explored. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of three different approaches of QLBs. METHODS: Sixty-five patients, aged 18-70 years posted for elective laparoscopic abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled after taking written informed consent. QLB was given using bupivacaine 0.25% 40 mL with injection dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg in all the groups. In Group 1 and Group 2, the drug was injected into the anterior and posterior aspects of the muscle respectively. In Group 3, a combination of the anterior-posterior approach was used. Pain scores at various intervals along with analgesic consumption and complications were observed. RESULTS: The demographic variables, hemodynamic parameters, and complications were comparable among the three groups. There were statistically significant differences between treatment groups in fentanyl requirement as assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (P = 0.012). Pairwise post-hoc analysis between block groups showed that the differences between Group 1 & Group 2 and Group 2 & Group 3 were significant (P = 0.0098 and P = 0.013). The tramadol requirement was comparable in all the groups (P = 0.75). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in Group 3 compared to other groups (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Further studies can be planned to evaluate the best approach for QLB in terms of perioperative analgesia, which remains a dilemma in this pilot study. The anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior QLB approaches appear equally efficacious as a component of multimodal analgesia in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries.

Timing of Exposure to ICU Diaries and Its Impact on Mental Health, Memories, and Quality of Life: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.

Optimal time for ICU diary delivery and impact on mental health (MH), anxiety-depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), quality of life (QOL), and memories is unclear. We evaluated the effect of ICU diaries, dispatched at different time points, on outcomes in an Indian cohort. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A 1,000-bedded teaching hospital in East India. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated (>24 hr) adults were recruited, excluding those dead or incapable of meaningful-communication at discharge or follow-up. Eighty-three patients, aged 46.2 ± 17.2 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores 13.7 ± 4.9 were assessed. Length of ICU stay was 8.2 ± 7.1 days with 3.7 ± 3.2 ventilator days. INTERVENTION: Of 820 screened, 164 had diaries created. Including photographs, diaries were comaintained by healthcare workers and family members. Ninety patients were randomized at 1-month follow-up: diary sent to 45 at 1 month (group ID1) and to 45 at 3 months (ID3). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anxiety-depression, memory, and QOL were assessed telephonically or home visits by a psychologist using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS) and other tools at ICU discharge, 1-month (prerandomization), and 3 months of discharge. ID3 was reassessed after receiving diaries at 3.5 months. Primary outcome was anxiety-depression; secondary outcomes included PTSS, QOL, and memories. There was 100% follow-up. At 3 months, ID1 patients had a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in HADS from baseline when compared with ID3 that had not received diaries (4.16 ± 2.9 vs 2.15 ± 1.8; 95% CI, 2.8-1.2). PTSS scores were likewise better (p < 0.001). ID3 patients demonstrated significant improvement (p < 0.01) in QOL and memories along with HADS and PTSS when assessed at 3.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: ICU diaries improve MH but not QOL when delivered at 1 month and assessed 2 months thereafter. Assessed after 15 days, delayed exposure at 3 months significantly improved QOL and memories in addition to MH.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in quadratus lumborum block in patient undergoing caesarean section - A randomised controlled study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in quadratus lumborum block (QLB) for postoperative pain relief at rest in patients undergoing caesarean section (CS). The primary objective was to compare the time to the first request of rescue analgesia. Secondary objectives were to compare the amount of rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction, Numeric rating scale (NRS), and Ramsay sedation score (RSS) during the first 24 h. DESIGN: A randomised, double-blinded study. SETTING: The study was conducted at AIIMS Bhubaneswar from December 2019 to February 2021in the Operating Theatre complex (for the immediate postoperative follow-up) and in the Obstetric Ward (for follow-up at the later time points). PATIENTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled with singleton term pregnancies scheduled for CS under spinal anaesthesia after written informed consent. INTERVENTION: Bilateral QLB was given in the recovery area. Group A received 30 ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine and group B received 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine with Dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg. They received inj. Paracetamol 15 mg/kg intravenously TDS and Inj. Tramadol 1 mg/kg as rescue analgesia (if Numeric rating scale (NRS) Score ≥ 4). We also compared the rescue analgesia in the first 24 h, patient satisfaction scores, Ramsay sedation score (RSS), and NRS scores at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h. MAIN RESULTS: The time to request the first rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in group B [Mean ± SD (95% CI)] 880 ± 351 (720-1040) min. vs group A 439 ± 208 (368-510) min., p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in the amount of rescue analgesia [(Inj. Tramadol (1 mg/ kg)] used in the group with dexmedetomidine [group B Mean ± SD (95% CI) (57 ± 18 (49-65) mg. vs group A - 81 ± 25 (73-90)] mg., p < 0.001]. A significant difference was seen in patient satisfaction scores and pain scores between the groups up to 18 h. (p < 0.05) but not in RSS. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine can be considered an effective adjuvant for QLB in CS in the absence of intrathecal morphine.

A novel prefabricated patient-specific titanium cranioplasty: reconsideration from a traditional approach.

OBJECTIVE: Patient-specific implants (PSI) for cranioplasty are expensive, and cost remains the limiting factor in low- to middle-income countries. The authors describe a novel, reproducible and cost-effective method of designing prefabricated titanium PSI cranioplasty. METHODS: Ten patients from June 2018 to December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. A three-dimensional stereolithography model was made on a custom-built 3D printer with variable layer heights to produce efficient and accurate details. A certain amount of defect in the temporal region was left uncovered to avoid complications related to temporalis muscle dissection. The stereolithography model with a cranial defect was reconstructed with modelling wax. The wax model was scanned with a blue light visible scanner. The digital data was transferred to the milling machine (Jayon Surgical®, Kerala, India), where a 1-mm-thick sheet of titanium was milled according to the specifications. RFCC scoring system was used for assessing cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: The mean duration of the surgery was 56.50 min, SD = 14.916 min (range 45-75 min). In 9/10 patients, the RFCC score was 4 points. No other complications were found at a minimum follow-up of 18 months in all patients. The cost per patient was approximately 30,000 INR or 400 US dollars. The average time required for us to get the PSI ready for surgery was about 15 days. CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrate a novel, cost-effective and reproducible method of PSI using titanium for cranioplasty.

Intensive care unit (ICU) diaries and the experiences of patients' families: a grounded theory approach in a lower middle-income country (LMIC).

OBJECTIVE: An intensive care unit (ICU) diary is a relatively new concept in low middle-income countries (LMICs). Illiteracy and socio-cultural inhibitions may affect the use and utility of this intervention, which has proven beneficial to patients and their families in high income countries (HICs). We aimed to explore how families of ICU patients experienced ICU diaries in our set up by using the Grounded Theory (GT) approach. A relatively new research tool, this enables exploration of a phenomenon to build theories in areas hitherto uncharted. METHOD: A clinical psychologist did 29 in-depth interviews of relatives of 13 patients admitted in the ICU for > 24 h for whom an ICU diary was being maintained. We used a three-step coding process- open, axial, and selective coding, followed by the formulation of a theory embedded in the data. RESULTS: We found that the younger relatives of ICU patients accepted the idea better (age 30, SD 6) Half (48%) had education between 5th to 10th standards. Emergent themes suggested that for the family members, reading and writing the diary brought novelty, acted as a communication enabler, spiritual truss, and improved knowledge leading to change in perspective about the health care system. It also became a bridge to community bonding after patient discharge. Starting with appreciating the novelty of 'diary entries,' which was a new and exciting concept, family members used the diaries to communicate with health care workers (to gain information and understanding about the disease and treatment) and the patient to express their love and to maintain a connection. The diary acted as a confessional for hopes, fears, guilt, and faith for many members. As a tool, it enabled them to understand medical personnel as human beings and to appreciate their efforts, effectively improving confidence in the system. Finally, upon returning home, the diary was a crowd puller for extended family and neighbors encouraging discussions and enhancing bonding and information sharing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a good acceptance of ICU diaries by family members in our ICU. With less literate, admitted 'shy 'members, in a society where 'diary writing' is not culturally rampant, the appreciation for the novel concept was universal. We see a place for these interventions not only at the patient/ family level but also as a means to 'correct' the image of health care workers in our society by humanizing ourselves to the end-user- the patient and his family.

Raised Intracranial Pressure Syndrome: A Stepwise Approach.

Raised intracranial pressure (rICP) syndrome is seen in various pathologies. Appropriate and systematic management is important for favourable patient outcome. This review describes the stepwise approach to control the raised ICP in a tiered manner, with increasing aggressiveness. The role of ICP measurement in the assessment of cerebral autoregulation and individualised management is discussed. Although a large amount of research has been undertaken for the management of raised ICP, there still remain unanswered questions. This review tries to put together the best evidence in a succinct manner. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Tripathy S, Ahmad SR. Raised Intracranial Pressure Syndrome: A Stepwise Approach. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(Suppl 2):S129-S135.

Effect of anaesthesia on the perioperative outcomes of pelvi-acetabular fracture surgeries in the apex trauma centre of a developing country-a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Regional anaesthesia has been proposed to reduce intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay and in-hospital complications with improved postoperative pain control. General anaesthesia is advantageous for prolonged surgeries. We hypothesized that combined regional and general anaesthesia would offer advantages of both in pelvi-acetabular fracture surgeries. METHODS: We identified 71 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of pelvi-acetabular fractures from May 2012 to 2013 in our trauma centre. We excluded patients with incomplete records (n = 4) and other injuries operated along (n = 8). Hence, 59 patients were divided into three groups: G group (general anaesthesia), R group (regional anaesthesia) and GR group (combined regional and general anaesthesia). Main outcome measurements studied were intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, duration of surgery and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: No differences were obtained in between the groups in terms of age, gender, Injury Severity Score, number of comorbidities, or duration from injury to surgery. No significant differences were found between the three groups for intraoperative blood loss, days of hospital stay and duration of surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no specific significant advantage of the technique of anaesthesia on the observed perioperative complications in pelvi-acetabular fracture surgeries.